Retiring In Italy- How To Get A Start With An Elective Residence Visa

The prospect of retiring overseas is an exciting one. It opens the opportunity to get a fresh start in your golden years. But you must pick your destination wisely to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Italy offers the perfect mix of ease, luxury, and safety for retirees who wish to experience the best these years have to offer. It has lovely weather, an easy lifestyle, warm culture, and an excellent healthcare system.

Most importantly, you need not worry much about immigration because the elective residence visa serves easy access to foreign nationals who can support themselves without working. The best part is that you can get qualified assistance from Bersani Law Firm to complete the formalities for this immigration option. Let us share the nitty-gritty of getting started with an elective residence visa.

Understanding elective residence visa

An elective residence visa is a long-stay option for people having sufficient funds to provide for themselves and looking to permanently relocate to Italy. You cannot work in Italy to earn these funds, but they should come from passive income streams like pensions, savings, and investments. The time period for the elective residence visa is one year, and you can renew it for two years subsequently. The option is an alternative to the golden visa where you have to make a hefty investment in the country. However, you can still get the benefits like free public education for your children, free registration with National Health Care, tax limitations, and access to permanent residence and Italian citizenship in the long run.

Completing the requirements

Before applying for the Elective Residency Visa, you must prove your eligibility for it. You have to provide documents to show that you fulfill the requirements. Here is a list of essentials-

· Proof of passive income- You require a minimum of € 32,000 per year as a stable income from passive resources to establish your ability to support yourself without working. The amount increases by 20% for every dependent joining you in Italy. Typically, the income should come from streams like pensions, rents, dividends, royalties, and income from long-term investments. Moreover, they should be stable and continuous. Remember that active incomes and savings do not count as passive streams.

· Proof of lodging- You must have a suitable place to live in Italy before moving in. Proof of hotel booking does not work. Rather, you require an agreement of a lease or rental arrangement or proof of purchasing.

· Proof of health insurance- Proof of private health insurance is another essential requirement for this immigration option. Although Italy has a universal healthcare

system for its residents, you need personal coverage until you are a resident. Full coverage typically costs around € 60,000.

· Documentary requirements- You must provide a valid passport, police clearances, civil status documents such as marriage or birth certificates, and passport-size pictures. Further, you must submit the long-stay visa application form, duly completed, dated, and signed.

Stages of the application process

Like any other immigration process, the Elective Residence Visa has a set of steps you need to follow for the application process. It is a simple one, and you can apply at your local consulate rather than travel to Italy. But it is always better to seek immigration assistance as a retiree to complete the process without delays and complexities. You can consider it in three stages to simplify the journey.

Stage 1- Ensuring eligibility

Before going ahead with the application process, you must establish your eligibility and gather the essential documentation. It will expedite the process and ensure completion without any roadblocks. It is best to have an expert guiding you right from this stage.

Stage 2- Preparing for the interview

Once you are ready with the paperwork, it is time to book a consulate appointment. You must prepare for your visa interview to make it a breeze. Ensure to fill up the long-stay visa application form correctly and completely. Also, have complete documentation for yourself and the family members joining you. You will have to pay the visa fee and wait for the processing time.

Stage 3- Completing the post-approval formalities

After getting your elective residence visa, you can travel to Italy. But be ready to apply for a residence permit if you want to retire in Italy and start life afresh. It is essential for a legal stay in the country. You have to register within eight days and apply for the residence permit thereafter.

The process for the Italian elective residence visa is pretty straightforward. But having expert assistance always helps. Find a professional you can rely on to help you move a step closer to a dream retirement in Italy.

Speak Your Mind

*